AN MP paid a visit to Wokingham on Friday for a special ribbon cutting ceremony.
Christine Jardine declared the new constituency office of the Liberal Democrats open for business, as the party prepares to challenge Conservative Sir John Redwood in the forthcoming general election.
Wokingham is one of the party’s target seats, and the result will be hard to predict due to changes to boundaries meaning this will be the first time it will be contested in its new form. Other factors, including the Conservatives’ low opinion poll rating, the cost-of-living crisis, could affect the outcome of a seat that has been occupied by Sir John since 1987.
While Wokingham Conservatives have been based in offices in Rose Street for a number of years, this is the first time the Lib Dems have had premises. Previously, campaigners worked out of people’s homes, with leaflets occupying many nooks and crannies.
Now, they have rooms in Indigo House, off Fishponds Road in Wokingham.
As part of her visit, she met with party supporters, gave them a pep talk and learned more about their campaigning.
Ms Jardine was pleased with the progress she and her Westminster colleagues had seen in Wokingham, saying she was impressed with what they have been doing.
“I was absolutely delighted to be asked to open the offices,” she said. “They’ve done such a good job for the people of Wokingham, and that’s reflected in results. You don’t win more seats, you don’t gain places in the local council unless you’re doing a good job for the people who are voting for you.
“That’s why I wanted to come and meet everybody and say thank you for everything they’ve done and will do.
“They are drawing attention what Wokingham needs: an MP who will stand up for them.”
She cited a number of concerns that she says people are raising on the doorsteps.
“Conservatives MPs seem content to let sewage be pumped into our rivers and chalk streams without thinking about the damage that’s doing; our NHS is on its knees and needs support. We need GPs, dentists, the ambulance service – everything needs support, and everything needs change.
“We’re picking that up on the doorsteps across the country, Clive is picking that up here. People want someone who will stand up for them.”
Ms Jardine, who represents Edinburgh West, said Wokingham was much-talked about among her parliamentary colleagues.
“We talk all the time about what’s happening in different places, and who’s doing well – everybody knows what’s happening, and in Wokingham, we see the difference,” she explained, adding that she could see a difference between Clive, who is the party’s candidate for the forthcoming general election in Wokingham.
“John Redwood is someone who has at least two jobs and is a very different type of politician from Clive, who is much more modern, much more in touch with his community, and wants to be a local champion rather than just sitting in parliament. We can’t do that – we don’t do that. We get out there,” Ms Jardine said.
While the General Election is still some away, the party is looking at its strategies for trying to win the Wokingham seat for the first time.
“The local party are doing such a good job. They are so committed to working for the community,” Mr Jardine said, adding that being elected would “make sure they get the representation they deserve and a voice that will speak out for them.
“We’re seeing in Blue Wall seats up and down England people coming to us in large numbers. Voters are unhappy with what this government has been doing. They want someone who will stand up for them. That’s us.”
